With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Bill to Allow Home Food Crafters to Sell Goods Could Pass Today
Photo by Slobodan Miskovic via Shutterstock
()
A bill that would allow home food crafters to sell their wares could be passed by the California Senate as soon as today.
The bill, entitled AB 1616 but also known as the Cottage Foods Bill, was written in response to the incident where the Los Angeles County Health Department ordered Mark Stambler to stop selling the bread he baked each week in his backyard oven in Los Feliz. At the time, the 59 year-old had hoped baking could become his full-time business.
Opponents say that bill, which was co-written by Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Silver Lake), could be a risk.
Says the L.A Times article:
Support for LAist comes from
"There's no way to ensure that they have the minimum standards in place — basic hot and cold running water, equipment in good repair," said Liza Frias, chair of the California Retail Food Safety Coalition. "We don't want baked goods coming out with metal in them."
But supporters of the bill feel that the sale of small batch goods could spawn an entirely new industry that our state could use considering how many people are without jobs. Currently, food crafters have to prepare their items in expensive commercially licensed kitchens, but this bill would open up the doors for them to do so at home without having to pay rent or handling fees.
AB 1616 could come soon as today. We'll keep you posted as the story develops.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Doctors say administrator directives allow immigration agents to interfere in medical decisions and compromise medical care. -
The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7 and went on to kill 12 people and destroy more than 6,800 homes and buildings. -
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past. -
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases. -
Distrito Catorce’s Guillermo Piñon says the team no longer reflects his community. A new mural will honor local leaders instead. -
The program is for customers in communities that may not be able to afford turf removal or water-saving upgrades.
Best of LAist